Google Refuses to Give Up Squatted Domains; Goes After YouTube Typos Again

Google has been gunning hard against domain squatters of late, especially squatters on YouTube typo domains. In December, it filed disputes against 50 YouTube typo domains, winning 37 of the 50 domains. Back then, the National Arbitration Forum had decided that 13 of the 50 domains had been registered prior to Google’s trademark filings with the USPTO, and thus, could not be handed over to Google. These included clear typo names such as YouTubr.com, which were being re-directed to surveys for cash affiliate websites, according to this Domain Name Wire report.

Google hasn’t given up the fight, however. Fusible.com reports that on Feb. 21, Google filed another case against the squatter with the National Arbitration Forum (Case no. 1428476) for a total of 13 typo domains, which include Youttube.com, Youtubve.com, and the rather questionable, YouTune.com.

Cases such as these are decided by a panel at the National Arbitration Forum after looking at three elements, namely:

1. Whether the domain name can be confused with a trademark held by the complainant.

2. Whether the domain owner has no legitimate interests with regards to the domain.

3. Whether the domain name is being used in bad faith.

While 12 of the 13 domains mentioned in the dispute (full list below) are rather clear-cut cases of domain squatting, YouTune.com does raise certain questions, which, however, are drowned out by the very questionable content on the domain (Kaspersky identifies it as a ‘phishing link’).

Domain squatting is a blight on the industry and ought to be shoveled out as soon as possible. Squatters tarnish the reputations of hundreds of thousands of domainers who toil diligently to earn money from their domainers. Google not winning the earlier dispute is a little strange (or, as Domain Name Wire said then, “Google screwed up”), but it is heartening to know that it hasn’t lost appetite for a fight and is willing to duke it out in the ring again. It’ll be better for the entire industry if these squatted domains finally land in the hands of their rightful owner – Google.

Full list of disputed domains:

1. tyoutube.com

2. youstube.com

3. youtbue.com

4. youttube.com

5. youtubenaruto.com

6. youtubr.com

7. youtubube.com

8. youtubve.com

9. youtune.com

10. yoututbe.com

11. youtuube.com

12. youyube.com

13. yutub.com